When cold slows down digestion
A feeling of cold and fullness after meals, sluggish digestion, an instinctive craving for hot drinks, appetite that fades in cold weather or after raw foods, digestion that also knots up with annoyances… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Cold settled in the Middle, in the Spleen and Stomach, often mixed with Qi stagnation. Without warmth, the Stomach receives poorly and sends down poorly; the Qi lingers and digestion becomes heavy.
Tiao Wei Dan is a formula from the Chinese pharmacopoeia; tiao wei (调胃) means “harmonising the Stomach”. At its core is the pairing of galangal and cyperus, which on its own forms Liang Fu Wan, one of the shortest formulas in the tradition for warming the Middle and moving the Qi. Around it are aromatic spices, clove, cinnamon, cardamom and amomum, and two herbs that help the Qi descend again.
Warming, then getting things moving
Three groups share the work. Galangal, clove and cinnamon bring warmth; cardamom and amomum, both aromatic, awaken the Stomach and transform Dampness; cyperus, magnolia bark and bitter orange move the Qi and help it descend again. Licorice harmonises the whole.
Harmonises the Stomach: In TCM, the Stomach receives, then sends down. Magnolia bark and bitter orange, the two herbs with the highest doses, accompany it in this downward movement.
Warms the Middle and dispels Cold: Galangal, clove and cinnamon, all three hot, give back to the Spleen and Stomach the warmth without which they work poorly.
Supports the flow of Qi: Cyperus, which tradition regards as the great herb for Qi imbalances, unknots what gets blocked in the Middle, especially when cold and annoyances combine.
Promotes lightness and digestive comfort: Cardamom and amomum transform the Dampness that weighs down the Middle and put new energy into digestion.
